Beth Cook

Personal statement

Beth is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She joined the School of Education in 2022 to work on the innovative dual award early childhood programme between Bath Spa University and Hunan University of Humanities, Science and Technology in Loudi, China. The role combines her two interests of early childhood education, specifically the impact of preterm birth on children's learning, and early years education and practice in China. Her role primarily involves developing and delivering modules to the students in China, alongside supporting students as an Academic Advisor.

Prior to working at Bath Spa University, Beth worked at Edge Hill University as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, where she lectured across the undergraduate degree programs, in the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care, on early childhood education and children's health and wellbeing. Before working as a lecturer, Beth worked as a Primary School teacher, for over 15 years, teaching children from 4-11 years of age. Beth has also delivered specialist early years training to Head Teachers and practitioners working in a wide variety of early years settings.

Beth is currently in the final stages of a PhD investigating what reception teachers understand about the Impact of preterm birth on a child’s learning and development. She is passionate about ensuring that teachers currently working in early years education and future teachers entering the profession have the knowledge to support children who have had a premature start to life.

Academic qualifications

• Postgraduate Degree: PhD Health
  Edge Hill University, 2018 – current
  Thesis Title: Reception Teachers’ Understanding of the Impact of Preterm Birth on a Child’s Learning and Development: An Exploratory Study
• Postgraduate Teacher Training: Associate Fellow of Higher Education Academy
  Edge Hill University, 2018-2019
  Curriculum Design for Learning
  Exploring Practice in Teaching and Learning
• Postgraduate Degree: Master of Education
  The Open University, 2011 - 2014
  Degree content: Educational Enquiry & Research; Understanding Children’s Learning and Development; and, Curriculum, Learning and Society: Investigating Practice
• First Degree: BA Honours in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status and History, BA (2:1)
  University of Lancaster, 1998 – 2002
  Early Years Specialist.

Professional memberships

• Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
• BERA - British Educational Research Association
• BERA - British Education Research Association
• TACTYC - Association for Professional Development in Early Years
• Warwick Preterm Research Group
• RECAP - Preterm Early Career Research Group.

Areas of expertise

• Early Years Education
• Early Years Preschool Education in China
• Impact of Preterm Birth on Children's Learning and Development
• Mixed Methods Research.